I don't feel like discussing the current definition of terrorism, which appears to be "violence or attempted violence by brown people." All violence committed by crazed and idealistic white folks is not up for consideration at this time.
I can't do it again.
Just imagine I made all the same points about double standards and media coverage and shake your head at how effed up the world is.
That's all I can offer you at this time.
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Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
What's in a "Nigger"?
Some of y'all may have heard about the brewing controversy about one scholar's plans to publish an edition of Mark Twain's classic "Huckleberry Finn" without certain "inflammatory" words. The new publication is an effort to circumvent the practice of banning the book from certain school libraries. If you haven't heard about it, check out this story.
I've read Huck Finn a few times. It's a cool book. I'll admit that the use of "Nigger Jim" and just "nigger" in general surprised me initially. And I wasn't too thrilled with some of the stereotypes and characterizations for black folks in the book. But, I also realized, even as a child, this was a book written by a white man of a certain time, who was a product of his time no matter how enlightened he has been hailed as being. Viewed through that prism, I could take the good with the not so good and enjoy the book.
Apparently, this scholar doesn't think most kids need to have that experience. I disagree.
I understand the need to expose kids to good books. But, I believe that if you neuter those books to make them more palatable to certain audiences, it becomes questionable whether they remain "good books." I don't remember any black parents at my school complaining about the use of the word nigger in Huck Finn and I doubt it's black school officials pushing for the books banning across the country.
Instead, this feels like another example of white Americans being uncomfortable with the amount of racism and discrimination in this country's past, and not wanting their children to be exposed to the truth about the good ol' days. There has been a systematic attempt in recent years to whitewash this country's past, and I don't like it at all.
After all, black people know that we used to be called niggers everywhere we went. Hell, our grandparents and great grandparents can tell us the stories from their own lives if we've ever wondered about what it was like to be black 50 years ago. We know about widespread discrimination and casual bigotry. It's not a secret, at least not from many of us.
Twain was an artist. He created an artwork that has value and importance the way it is. Changing it would be a shame. A damn shame. Children need to be exposed to reality and they need the chance to understand that people can be wrong about some things and right about others. They need to think about the words we use and why those words have power. And they need to confront the stereotypes that have been applied to black life for centuries so they can understand why so many black people remain angry.
It's not just about a nigger.
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I've read Huck Finn a few times. It's a cool book. I'll admit that the use of "Nigger Jim" and just "nigger" in general surprised me initially. And I wasn't too thrilled with some of the stereotypes and characterizations for black folks in the book. But, I also realized, even as a child, this was a book written by a white man of a certain time, who was a product of his time no matter how enlightened he has been hailed as being. Viewed through that prism, I could take the good with the not so good and enjoy the book.
Apparently, this scholar doesn't think most kids need to have that experience. I disagree.
I understand the need to expose kids to good books. But, I believe that if you neuter those books to make them more palatable to certain audiences, it becomes questionable whether they remain "good books." I don't remember any black parents at my school complaining about the use of the word nigger in Huck Finn and I doubt it's black school officials pushing for the books banning across the country.
Instead, this feels like another example of white Americans being uncomfortable with the amount of racism and discrimination in this country's past, and not wanting their children to be exposed to the truth about the good ol' days. There has been a systematic attempt in recent years to whitewash this country's past, and I don't like it at all.
After all, black people know that we used to be called niggers everywhere we went. Hell, our grandparents and great grandparents can tell us the stories from their own lives if we've ever wondered about what it was like to be black 50 years ago. We know about widespread discrimination and casual bigotry. It's not a secret, at least not from many of us.
Twain was an artist. He created an artwork that has value and importance the way it is. Changing it would be a shame. A damn shame. Children need to be exposed to reality and they need the chance to understand that people can be wrong about some things and right about others. They need to think about the words we use and why those words have power. And they need to confront the stereotypes that have been applied to black life for centuries so they can understand why so many black people remain angry.
It's not just about a nigger.
Share
Monday, January 3, 2011
Eff You and Your Little Dog Too
I'm late to the party, but let a lunatic vent a little bit.
I'm sure most of y'all heard what Tucker Carlson said about Mike Vick, right? Basically, he said that Vick deserved to die for the dogfighting ring he served time for bankrolling. Apparently, two years in the federal pen wasn't enough for Carlson, only death will do.
Fuck him.
Yeah, I don't curse in real life anymore, but the digital me says fuck Tucker Carlson and every thing he stands for. Fuck him if he just said it for ratings, fuck him if he really meant it. Fuck him for his life view, fuck him for mentioning Christianity. Fuck him with the 10-inch dick he spends his nights dreaming about.
Whew.
Sorry about that, but it was bubbling in the pit of my gut and I had to let it spew. Every time I think of Carlson advocating for Vick's death, I want to go on a profanity filled rampage that ends with a reenactment of the curb scene from "American History X" with me as the skinhead and Carlson as the random black victim. Violence begets violence and when you openly say you would have preferred to see a man killed for the pain and death he caused dogs, then I think of violence. Lots and lots of violence.
Michelle Clark-Perry tried to hip folks to the mixed feelings black folks have about dogs in a truncated televison appearance and extended essay, but I think it was a waste of words. The majority of white folks (sorry white folks) don't really want to hear any explanation that involves the words slavery, racism or discrimination. When black folks use any of those three words, all white folks hear is the voice of the teacher from Charlie Brown.
Carlson's comments drew fire, predictably, but in my opinion there wasn't nearly enough outrage. He called for a man's death because he hurt and killed animals. Motherfucker, have you heard of hunting and poultry farms? It doesn't matter if the animals are killed for food and sport, they are still killed. And if you want to see true cruelty against dogs, how about you visit your local dog racing track.
Carlson's comments were distasteful, disrespectful and degrading. He equated Vick's life with the life of a dog, and we all know that wasn't a coincidence. Apparently, the going rate for a black man's life is a few pit bulls, and honestly that shouldn't be much of a surprise.
The more things change, the more they stay the same
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I'm sure most of y'all heard what Tucker Carlson said about Mike Vick, right? Basically, he said that Vick deserved to die for the dogfighting ring he served time for bankrolling. Apparently, two years in the federal pen wasn't enough for Carlson, only death will do.
Fuck him.
Yeah, I don't curse in real life anymore, but the digital me says fuck Tucker Carlson and every thing he stands for. Fuck him if he just said it for ratings, fuck him if he really meant it. Fuck him for his life view, fuck him for mentioning Christianity. Fuck him with the 10-inch dick he spends his nights dreaming about.
Whew.
Sorry about that, but it was bubbling in the pit of my gut and I had to let it spew. Every time I think of Carlson advocating for Vick's death, I want to go on a profanity filled rampage that ends with a reenactment of the curb scene from "American History X" with me as the skinhead and Carlson as the random black victim. Violence begets violence and when you openly say you would have preferred to see a man killed for the pain and death he caused dogs, then I think of violence. Lots and lots of violence.
Michelle Clark-Perry tried to hip folks to the mixed feelings black folks have about dogs in a truncated televison appearance and extended essay, but I think it was a waste of words. The majority of white folks (sorry white folks) don't really want to hear any explanation that involves the words slavery, racism or discrimination. When black folks use any of those three words, all white folks hear is the voice of the teacher from Charlie Brown.
Carlson's comments drew fire, predictably, but in my opinion there wasn't nearly enough outrage. He called for a man's death because he hurt and killed animals. Motherfucker, have you heard of hunting and poultry farms? It doesn't matter if the animals are killed for food and sport, they are still killed. And if you want to see true cruelty against dogs, how about you visit your local dog racing track.
Carlson's comments were distasteful, disrespectful and degrading. He equated Vick's life with the life of a dog, and we all know that wasn't a coincidence. Apparently, the going rate for a black man's life is a few pit bulls, and honestly that shouldn't be much of a surprise.
The more things change, the more they stay the same
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I Got Something Coming
Sorry about the blog going dark for so long but y'all know how the holidays can be. Anyway, I've been thinking about lots of stuff so I should have some new posts up shortly.
Thanks for you patience.
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Thanks for you patience.
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